Automatic drain trap



Nov. 28, 1950 F. J. RODWELL 2,531,991

AUTOMATIC DRAIN TRAP Filed Oct. 21; 1947 INVENTOR. Frederick Roe/We BY A ttorney Patented Nov. 28, 1950 AUTOMATIC DRAIN TRAP Frederick Joseph Rodwell, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada Application October 21, 1947, Serial No. 781,117 In Canada June 9, 1947 1 Claim. 1 This invention relates to a drain trap and more particularly to a float actuated drain trap.

Drain traps are generally in the form of a U-shaped fitting attached to the waste pipe of a system.

They present unattractive appearances and are not easily dismantled for cleaning purposes. Further, they generally require expensive tools, for dismantling purposes which tools are not always found in the home. Thus it results that to unplug a blocked drain trap one must generally call the assistance of a plumber or steam fitter.

My invention provides for a trap easily dismantled, neat in appearance and inexpensive to produce. It also provides for a simple arrangement of a float and valve pivotally mounted on a cross member.

The primary object of my invention is, therefore, to devise and construct a drain trap comprising float actuating means.

A further object of my invention is that the valve be so constructed that it will prevent any backwash of foul odor from entering therethrough.

Other apparent objects are the simplicity, the

dependability and the low manufacturing cost.

With these and other objects in view that may appear while the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel arrangement of operating parts as hereinafter more specifically set forth, claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings forming part of this application and in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional elevational view of my invention shown inserted in a waste pipe;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of my device showing the screen mesh cover in fragmentary view.

Referring more in detail to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, it will be seen that the invention consists of an outer shell member it having a flanged portion II formed integral therewith and a seat 52 adapted to receive a screen cover I3.

A boss I4 is formed centrally on the bottom I5, of said shell member Ill. The boss I4 is drilled to receive the extremity of the float guide I6 which also acts as a supporting member for the cross arm I! on which are suspended the float I8 and the valve IS.

The float I8 consists of a semi-circular airtight chamber having its diametrically opposed corners 20 rounded. A float supporting arm 2I is fastened on the top surface of said float I8 and extends upwardly and is threadably attached to a U-shaped bracket 22. A similar U-shaped bracket 23 is attached at the upper extremity of the valve supporting rod 24. Both U-shaped brackets are pivotally aflixed to the extremities of the cross arm I! which in turn is pivotally fastened to the float guide It at its center point by means of a further U-shaped bracket 25.

The valve I9 consists of a cone-shaped member coming to rest against the beveled edges 26 of the valve seat. Said valve seat is formed integral with the floor I5 of the outer shell member ID.

The float I8 as described along with the valve I9 and their supporting means are suspended within the shell member I0, by means of a rod 28, having both extremities fastened on each side of the shell I0 and positioned directly on the center line of said shell l0.

As shown in the drawings, the flanges I I of the outer shell I0 are secured to flanges integral with the waste pipe 21. It is to be understood that any suitable manner of anchoring the drain trap may be resorted to.

In operation, when water or other fluids are thrown into the trap, the fluid pressure will cause the valve to travel downwardly opening the water exit to the waste pipe. Should, for some reason or other the valve be stuck, the fluid trapped therein will force the float upward resulting in forcing the valve to open and allow the fluid to exit therefrom. On the other hand, should water or gases backwash up the waste pipe the valve will become closed and prevent any backwash.

It is believed that the construction and advan tage of the structure shown may be apparent from the foregoing paragraphs taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings without further detailed description.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is understood that minor changes in the construction, combination and arrangement of co-o-perating parts may be resorted to within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the inven tion.

I claim:

A drain trap comprising a shell member having a discharge opening in its bottom, a horizontal rod disposed diametrically of the upper end of said shell and secured to the walls thereof, a float guide disposed centrally of said shell connected at its upper end to said rod, a cross member pivotally mounted on said rod, a float arm pivotally suspended from one end of said cross member, a float connected to the free end of said float arm, a valve stem pivotally suspended from the opposite end of said cross member in vertical alinement with the discharge opening in the bottom of said shell member, a valve attached to the free end of said valve stem below the bottom of said shell member, and a valve seat surrounding the discharge opening in the bottom of said shell upon which said valve is adapted to seat upon upward movement thereof.

FREDERICK JOSEPH RODWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 4 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Ryan Apr. 23, 1878 Creuzbaur et a1. May 24, 1881 Voelmi Oct. 24, 1882 Bassett et a1. May 3, 1910 Kluin Sept. 5, 1916 Mingus et a1. Dec. 1, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Sept. 17, 1910 

